UNDP in
Nepal

UNDP in
Nepal

The Global Fund To Fight AIDS

Aug 22, 2005

THE GLOBAL FUND ACTIVITIES FOR HIV/AIDS KICK OFF IN NEPAL

Kathmandu, Nepal Aug 22, 2005 - Despite many hurdles and delays HIV component of "The Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria" was initiated with the signing of contracts between Global Fund sub recipients and UNDP.

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was created to increase resources to fight three of the world's most devastating diseases, and to direct those resources to areas of greatest need. It is funded by both public and private donors, and provides grants to countries to fund prevention and treatment programs. In only three years, The Global Fund has committed US$ 3.3 billion to more than 300 programs in 127 countries.

As a principal recipient Ministry of Health, His Majesty's Government of Nepal signed the grant agreement for the project “HIV/AIDS Prevention among Labour Migrants and Young People and Care for affected??? on 13th August 2003. The program starting date as agreed in the agreement was April 1, 2004.

In order to accelerate the activities, Ministry of Health, His Majesty’s Government of Nepal requested the United Nations System in Nepal (the UN system) to support the implementation of the National Programme in assisting with the management of some of the GFATM funded activities of the programme. In that regard, the UN system has been selected as the Management Support Agency (MSA), and this effort is being executed by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on behalf of the UN system.

With the UNDP on board, seventeen NGOs and two government partners were sub contracted to accomplish the overall goal of the GFATM. The timeframe to complete the planned activities is from 1st August 2005 to 30th November 2005. The programme focuses on three issues: Prevention – reduce transmission of HIV among labour migrants and young people between 10-24; Care and support – establish HIV care continuum from health care services to home and community care; and Support to National AIDS Program – strengthen multi-sectoral response to prevention and control of HIV.